Master of Education in School Counseling

The graduate program in school counseling is designed to prepare you for a career as a professional school counselor in elementary and/or secondary school settings. Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to develop sound theoretical foundations and acquire effective techniques for guiding and counseling young people. The program is approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education (CACREP) programs and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Upon successful completion of the CACREP program, you will automatically be certified as school counselors in Maryland. Although the program specifically prepares school counselors, various private agencies outside of school settings are interested in obtaining the service of professional counselors. The school counseling program may be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis.

Explore the Curriculum

The graduate program in professional school counseling is designed to prepare a student for a career as a professional school counselor in an elementary and/or secondary school setting. Throughout the course of study, students will have the opportunity to develop sound theoretical foundations and effective techniques for guiding and counseling young people. The program is approved by the CACREP, MSDE, and NCATE.

Although studies are intended to prepare students to become school counselors, various public and private agencies outside of school settings are interested in obtaining the services of professional counselors. Because this program is accredited by CACREP, students may take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors during their last semester. A 100 hour practicum and 600 hour internship are required.

Loyola's graduate study program in school counseling was winner of the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) Outstanding Masters Counselor Education Program Award for 2003; and a recipient of full national accreditation by CACREP through October 2012, NCATE through 2015, and MSDE through 2015.

The course of instruction involves the successful completion of 48 credits of study on the graduate level including a practicum and an internship in a school setting. Students are eligible to take the National Counselor Exam (NCE) during their last semester of classes.

Program Requirements

The following courses are required along with 6 credits of elective courses selected in conjunction with an advisor. Students in their last semester will be required to take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE).

GC600 Research and Evaluation in Counseling

GC606 Tests and Measurements

GC700 Introduction to School Counseling

GC701 Techniques of Educational Counseling

GC703 Lifestyle and Career Development and Decision-Making

GC704 Theories of Counseling

GC706 Group Counseling in Schools

GC708 Cross Cultural Counseling

GC712 Human Development Throughout the Life Span

GC755 Marriage and Family Counseling

GC791 School Counseling Practicum (100 hour formative experience)

GC792 Professional Issues and Ethics in Counseling

600 internship hours must be completed. These hours are equivalent to six credits of elective coursework. Students plan the internship with their advisor.